Insect-trap



(No Model.)

P. D. LEWIS. INSECT TRAP.

No. 544,624. Patented Aug. 13, 1895.

Inventor.

Attorney.

UNITE TATES PEROY D. LEWIS, OF ROCHESTER, NEWV YORK.

INSECT-TRAP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No; 544,624, dated August 13, 1895.

Application filed April 11, 1895- SerlalNo. 545,290. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PERCY D. LEWIs, of Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of NewYork, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Insect-Traps; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the drawings accompanying this specification.

My improvement relates to traps for catchinginsects and animals of various kinds; and it consists of means whereby the insects are driven bya slowly-progressivemovementinto a closed receptacle.

The invention consists in the combination of parts hereinafter described and embodied in the claim.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of the apparatus. Fig. 2 isacross-section in line a: w of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-section in line 1 y of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a plan view of that portion of the gearing whichreciprocates the concentric slide.

A indicates the receptacle into which the in}. sects are forced by the mechanism, the same being preferably made of wire-cloth or some other material through which light can pass.

B is a cover fitting removably over the receptacle, the same being provided with a chamber or compartment a, in which the actuating mechanism, such as clockwork, is located, and having a fiat top 17, containing the I devices for catching the insects, as well as a surface for them to alight on.

This construction may be Varied as circumstances may require. The actuating mechanism maybe any of the known kinds, such as an ordinary clockmovement actuated by a spring.

The catching mechanism at the top of the apparatus is constructed as follows: C is a curb, forming a segment concentric with the working mechanism, and consisting of two upright curved plates 0 0 open at both ends, but having a cover (1, which is preferably transparent.

D D are two fiat valves hung within the curb, swinging freely, but separated at such distance as to leave a space between them for the passage of the insects on either side into the receptacle below. This central space comhead has entered the curb and moved to its full extent the other has opened to such a degree as to allow insects to gather in advance of it and between it and the end of the curb.

The slide receives its reciprocating motion from the gearing by any suitable means, that shown in the drawings consisting of a crankarm i, attached tothe shaft 70, that holds the slide, and a rod m, connecting said crank-arm the actuating-gearing. The full revolution of wheel 12. gives reciprocating motion to the crank-arm and the slide.

-'with a gear-wheeln in direct engagement with G is a cup for holding sweetened water or other material for attracting insects, and H H are two wicks extending therefrom into the curb back of the valves, and thence extending outward in a concentric line in the pathway of the heads h h, which move over them in going forward'and back. To enable this to be done the wicks are embedded flush with the top surface of the bed, but lying exposed, so as to attract insects. The cup may be dispensed with and the liquid 7 be applied directly to the wicks. The insects attracted by the bait gather in front of the open head and are gradually driven forward by the slow movement of the head until they are forced within the closed curb, where they cannot escape. At the extent of inward movement of the head a spur p thereon strikes the lower edge of the valve, swinging it inward and opening the passage beneath, and the insects attracted by the light pass downward into the receptacle. The reverse movement of the I head allows the valve to fall back to place,

leaving no escape. The closing of one head which case the creatures may be attracted by inward movement, and a wick located in the a light, either incandescent or otherwise, 10- line of travel of the head and leading to the cated at the proper point. curb, as and for the purpose specified.

Having described my invention, what I In witness whereof I have hereunto signed 15 5 claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters my name in the presence of two subscribing Patent, is 1 witnesses.

The combination of arece tac1e,acnrb con- 1 r v 1 nected therewith, a slide pro vided with a head PERLX LEW which liesin line with and enters the curb, Witnesses:

IO means for operating the slide, a valve in the R. F. OSGOOD,

curb operated by the head at the extent of its E. C. LEE. 

